I love to recycle and find myself staring at items I use on a constant basis, thinking, "What can I create with this?" Not only does it save space in the land fills, I don't have to empty the garbage as often! One of my most used items is Kleenex and I came up with this idea for my grandson on Easter.

Approximate Time: 1-2 hours approx.

Supplies:

empty Kleenex box

discarded cardboard box

paint

foam- assorted colors

Ad

glue

black thread for whiskers

large google eyes

black marker

felt- assorted colors

strip of thin cardboard or posterboard for handle

wide tape

Instructions:

Cut off top of Kleenex box and cover with tape. This will make project more substantial and last a longer time.

Use the box for a template and cut out all four sides from felt, allowing a slight overlap on all pieces and cut even to box at bottom. Remember, you want extra at sides and top.

Cover one side at a time with glue. Then, cover with felt pieces. Bring corners together and hand stitch to make seams. Do not glue felt overlaps at top sides yet.

Cut square from cardboard box for base and glue to bottom of box on the outside.

To make the strap, cut a strip from posterboard and two strips of felt to cover, allowing extra on all sides. Glue handle between felt and hand stitch all sides. Poke a hole on each side of box and both ends of handle and use paper fasteners to attach. Lay a piece of tape over fastener prongs on inside.

Glue down top flaps of felt on all four sides.

I used dried split peas for my game, but any dried bean or rice will work.

Cut out square from discarded box that will fit inside basket at bottom. Pour a level amount of beans in and glue down square of cardboard over. This will keep box upright for game.

Cut rabbit face from cardboard box. I used an xacto knife so cardboard would not bend during cutting.

Paint face pink, giving two coats, if needed. I covered mine with a coat of jigsaw puzzle saver so the paint would endure kid's usage. It also gives it a nice shine.

Cut ears from foam and draw lines with black marker.

Glue or stitch paws, carrot, and feet on. I did both. It's quite easy to stitch through the box.

Glue on cheeks and lay whiskers on top. Glue nose on top of whiskers. Make cheek spots with marker. Glue on eyes and felt flower, if desired.

Glue face inside box.

Handle is movable by using paper fasteners and can be pushed down while playing game.

Cut egg shapes from felt using different colors for each set for each player. I made mine for two players, making 3 eggs for each. I cut numbers from felt and stitched one on each egg so they can keep score.

Note: I apologize but forgot one step in making basket.When you cut a base for the inside of the box, also cut 4 sides for the inside, using the kleenex box for a template. On step 5, after inserting the fasteners for the handle, lay a piece of tape over them on the inside, then glue the cardboard sides on in the inside of the kleenex box.Then proceed to glue down the top flaps of felt.The thick cardboard will reinforce the kleenex box and make it last. Sorry about missing this in the directions...must have had too much coffee!

This quick treat bag is easy enough for grade schoolers. Use it for your Sunday School Class and talk about the symbolism of the Easter Lily. Or, wouldn't Grandma love this filled with marshmallow peeps and jelly beans from her favorite little Easter bunnies?

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

Supplies:

white lunch bag*

dark green ribbon

yellow highlighter pen

Optional: gold pen or sticky foam letters, Easter stickers

Easter grass, treats

*I found a big box of white lunch bags at a warehouse store for about $11. They are very handy for all kinds of craft projects, in addition to lunch!

Instructions:

Add name or phrase such as "He is risen!" along bottom of bag with foam letters or a gold pen.

Cut top of lunch bag as shown. Cuts should be about 2 1/2 inches long.

Fill bag with Easter grass and treats as desired.

Carefully gather the top of the bag, just under the cuts, arranging the petals neatly. If some petals seem too wide, just cut down the middle.

Tie bag with dark green ribbon in a bow. A coordinating ribbon may also be added.

Color center of lily in with yellow pen, adding 2 or 3 yellow streaks to each petal.

I am looking for directions on how to make an Easter basket like one I received as a child in the 60s. (something similar to the attached photo of a pinkytoast basket) My mother made it out of a bleach bottle and it had a hole cut in the front or back. The "fur" was made from colored plastic attached to the bottle with pipe cleaners. It was fluffed up like a pom-pom. I got a pink bunny and my brother got a yellow duck. I would like to make some for my grandchildren. Any ideas?

For a quick, easy, and cheap Easter basket, rinse and clean an empty liter soda bottle, cut a 1 inch "ring" at the top of the body of the bottle (after the spout), and cut in half. Trim the rest of the body of the bottle to the height of the "basket" you'd like. Attach both ends of the ring you cut out (above) to the sides of the basket with plain or decorative brads. Use a small paper punch to place holes on opposite sides.

Decorate the outside of the basket with stickers (letters to spell the child's name and/or Easter stickers). You can also make your own stickers with either a Xyron machine (found at Michael's, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, etc.), cut out magazine pictures lightly glued to the basket, or go online for other methods of making your own stickers. Shred scrap papers (white, colors, scrap pages) and put inside basket for the "stuffing" and fill with inexpensive candies or little gifts. Enjoy!

I have small children and much of the stuff to put in the Easter baskets is candy or are not really suited to little ones. I'd like to include healthy snacks rather than candy. Does anyone have suggestions for a safe and healthy Easter basket?

Being a "Heath Food Hippie" when my kids were young, I wouldn't let them near any candy. Here's some tips for healthy Easter Baskets: Small boxes of Raisins, several Small apples, String Cheese, Frozen yogurt sticks, Movie coupons, Power bars (nutritional bars that taste like a candy bar), graham cracker bears, Homemade cookies & muffins. Natural Licorice. Sesame/Honey bar snacks & of course there's always hard-boiled Easter Eggs! You can also buy candy that's made for diabetics, (without sugar) it's in it's own section at the super market, just ask.

* I'd usually go to Trader Joe's, or a Health Food Store & buy some yummy stuff for them. Health Food Stores have all kinds of "good for you" candy, bars & gum.

I was a health food hippie too. I bought the fillable eggs & put trinkets inside & hid the eggs. I put coins in some of the eggs, sugar free bubblegum, small toys, erasers, etc. I also liked to include a book or 2 in the basket.

Years ago I made Easter baskets using crochet thread and sugar water. I have read the 'instructions' found on ThriftyFun, but cannot find the type/size of crochet thread to use. I have not been successful with a size 10 thread, but it is very tight. It will get stiff, but will not stick to the other threads, therefore you end up with a pile of stiff thread on the table when you pop the balloon. Help!

I made these years ago also & just searched for the directions but apparently don't have them any longer. Sorry! Don't remember the size thread I used but I never used the sugar & water but used liquid starch & it worked well. I didn't dilute it. Maybe you could give that a try. They are so cute & everyone loved them. Good luck!

I used embroidery floss to make mine. Cotton twine also works. I believe I used watered down Elmer's glue instead of sugar water or starch. Mine were about the same size that you would fill a water balloon.

I have four children and Easter baskets can get messy, expensive, and just full of junk, so every year I give them everything they will need (and ask for anyway ) for a fun summer. The basket is always a big sand pail.

Buy small brown paper bags and paint them with vegetable oil until the paper is translucent. Turn them upside down to drain out any excess oil. Pour tempered chocolate inside the bag and turn and tip the bag until all sides are covered.